Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 39,598, Samuel D Goff, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn
Goff, Samuel D.
S 39,598
CONTENTS

BY THE HONOURABLE MAJOR-GENERAL KNOX,
Commanding the AMERICAN FORCES on Hudson's River.
Samuel D. Goff Soldier — in the Connecticut , — Regiment, being inlisted for Three Years, is hereby honourably DISCHARGED from the Service of the United States.
Given in the State of New-York,
the 31 st Day of
December 1783.
By the General's Command,
H. Knox
REGISTERED in the Books of the Regiment,
E. Weeks, Scribe.

By the Honourable Milton-Gunnison K. C. M. G. Commanding the American Forces on the River the being called for Three Years, is hereby honorably discharged from the service of the United States. Given in the State of New York
Samuel D. Goff
the _____ day of
178
By the General's Command,
Registered in the Books of the Regiment,
Goff, Samuel D. Conn. S 39598

39 598 INVALID.
Ray
aw
File No. 89,598
Samuel D Goff Phila Pa
Act: 18 th March 18 th
Index:—Vol. 8 , Page 201
[Arrangement of 1870.]

12,520 R. Pennsylvania
Samuel D. Goff
of Wyon township in the state of Pennsylv a who was a Private in the regiment commanded by Colonel Sherman of the Connecticut line, for the term of 3 years .
Inscribed on the Roll of Pennsylvania at the rate of Eight Dollars per month, to commence on the 1 st of April 1818
Certificate of Pension issued the 22 d of July 1819 and sent to George Scott, Esquire Scranton Pa.
Arrears to 4th of March 1819 - 10 \frac{13 \cdot 2}{30 \cdot 31}  84:40 Semi-ann. all'ce ending 4 th Oct: 1819 . - 48:00
$132:40
{ Revolutionary claim, } { Act 18th March, 1818. }
Bradford County.

Admitted
10 th April 1810
Samuel D. Goff Private Colonel Sherman's Reg. Connecticut line 1781 - 3 years
see Discharge

Bradford County
State of Pennsylvania ss.
Be it remembered that on the Eighteenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and Eighteen before me George Scott one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County of Bradford in the State of Pennsylvania Personally appeared Samuel D. Goff of the township of Wysox County of Bradford and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and after being duly sworn according to Law doth declare and say that he he is a resident citizen of the United States and that (according to the information given him by his Parents) he was born the ninth day of April 1766 in the town of Colchester, County of Hartford and State of Connecticut, and that he entered into the armies of the United Colonies of America raised for the defence of American Liberty and for repelling every hostile invasion thereof and was duly enlisted a private Soldier on the second day of February 1781 in the Connecticut line of Continental Troops the fifth Regiment commanded by Colonel Sherman, and the fifth Company commanded by Captain Hodge for three years and that he continued in the service of his country until the thirty first day of December 1783 and then he received an Honourable discharge signed by General M c Kinney Maj. Genl. at West Point in the State of New York as by the said discharge now in his possession and produced manifestly appears and that he hath no pension allowed him by the laws of the united States to his knowledge and if any such exists he doth hereby renounce

and entirely release the same to the said United States, and that by reason of his reduced circumstances in life he needs the assistance of his Country for support Samuel D. Goff
Sworn and subscribed this Eighteenth day of April A.D. 1878 Before me
George Scott
State of Pennsylvania Bradford County P. I George Scott Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in & for Said County do hereby certify that it appears to my satisfaction that the Said Samuel D. Goff did serve in the revolutionary war as stated in the preceding declaration against the Common Enemy & that he is in reduced Circum- stances & stands in need of the assistance of his Country for support & I now transmit the proceedings had before me to the Secretary of the war department April 18 th 1878 George Scott
Associate Judge of Said County

State of Pennsylvania Bradford County S.
I George Scott Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, do hereby certify & make known that George Scott was at the time of taking & signing the foregoing deposition & certifying the same, an Associate Judge of said County & that full faith & credit are due to his acts as such previous to the twenty fourth day of April 1818 at which time he resigned the office of Associate Judge & took upon him the office of Prothonotary of said County. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal of office this 4 th day of May 1818
George Scott Prothonotary

CONTENTS

80 Berkshire
21.364 Massachusetts Pineon Goff
Deceased in the State of Mass who was Drum Major in the Co. H commanded by Captain Carpenter of the Regt commanded by Col. Gary in the Army of the Potomac due for Act. 21 Dr 2m 3 $102.30 9 3/4 $25.57 30 $51.15 $127.87
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass at the rate of 51 Dollars 15 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 13 day of Apr. 1833 and to H. N. Bishop Levoy
Arrears to the 4th of Sep 33 $127.87 Sem-ant. allowance ending 4 Mar 33 25.57 $153.44
Revolutionary Claim, As June 7, 1832. J. C. Stiles Clerk
Recorded by Book E Vol. 2 Page 29

13906 Simeon Goff Savoy Mass Application for Pension Sept 25 1832

Commonwealth of Massachusetts } ss County of Berkshire }
On this 25 day of September 1882 personally appeared in open Court, before the Hon. William D. Walker Judge of the Court of Probate for said County now sitting at Lanesborough in said County, Simeon Goff a resident of Savoy in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth aforesaid aged Seventy eight years, who being first duly Sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 4 th 1832.
That he served in the State troops of Massachusetts and Rhode Island under the following named officers and served as herein stated. — About the last of April 1775 I joined Capt. Samuel Bliss Company in Col. Timothy Walker's Regt. where I served as a Substitute for Benjamin Coomer till about the 12 th of May following, when I enlisted into the same Company and Regt. as a Soldier, and served at Roxbury and vicinity six Months and was discharged.
In the fore part of July 1776 I joined Capt. Nathaniel Carpenter's Company in Col. Simeon Clegg's Regt. in Gen. Fellows Brigade as a Substitute for Joseph Pierce and served as a Drum Major until the first of December 1776 at New York and was dismissed. — In August 1777 I enlisted into a volunteer Company commanded by Capt. John Pain and Marched to Swanton in the state of Rhode Island where I served as a Soldier one Month and was dismissed.
About the first of October 1777 I was drafted and joined Capt. James Wells Company in Col. Williams Regt. in the Massachusetts Militia and Marched to Swanton and served as a Soldier one Month and was dismissed.

In August 1778 I Joined Capt. Abimelec Briggs Company in Col John Mathewson's Regt. as a Substitute for Basto and Served on Rhode Island as a Soldier twenty days and was dismissed
I was born in Rehoboth County of Bristol Mass. January 18 th 1754 where I lived till June 1799 when I moved to Savoy in the County of Berkshire Mass where I have resided till now
My name is recorded in the town Book of Rehoboth and I have a record in my house - For proof of service I refer to Deposition of John Ingraham, Amos Goff and Sabes Briggs annexed. I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declare that my name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State
S.
Simson Goff Subscribed and sworn to the day a year aforesaid W. T. Walker J. Prolocutor
We Nathaniel M c Culloch a Clergy man residing in the Town of Savoy and William Ingraham residing in sd. Town hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Simson Goff who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy eight years of age, that he is reputed and believed in
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Berkshire, ss. I, Henry W. Bishop, Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County, do hereby certify that the  the Esquire, before whom the annexed deposition was taken is one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County, duly and regularly appointed, and that I am well acquainted with his hand writing, and have no doubt that the Signature annexed to said deposition is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this twenty fifth day of September. A. D. 1832. Henry W. Bishop Register of Probate

In August 1778 I Joined Capt. Abimelec Briggs Company in Col John Mathewsons Regt. as a Substitute for Basto and Served on Rhode Island as a Soldier twenty days and was dismissed
I was born in Rehoboth County of Bristol Mass. January 18 th 1754 where I lived till June 1799 when I moved to Savoy in the County of Berkshire Mass where I have resided till now
My name is recorded in the town Book of Rehoboth and I have a record in my house - For proof of service I refer to Deposition of John Ingraham, Amos Goff and Sabes Briggs annexed. I hereby relinquish every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that my name is not on the pension Roll of the agency of any State.
S.
Simson Goff Subscribed and sworn to the day a year aforesaid W. T. Walker S. Prolocutor
We Nathaniel M c Cullock a Clergy man residing in the Town of Savoy and William Ingraham residing in sd. Town hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with Simson Goff who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration that we believe him to be twenty eight years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a Soldier of the revolution and that concurs in that opinion Nathaniel M c Cullock William Ingraham
Berkshire ss - September 22 d 1832
Then personally appeared before me Nathaniel M c Cullock and and William Ingraham and made oath that they believe the above certificate by them subscribed to be true
Smelton Babbitt justice of the Peace

And the Said Court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after hearing the interrogatories prescribed by the war department that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states. — And the Court further certifies that it appears to them that Nathaniel McCulloch who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman resident in the town of Savoy and that William Ingraham who has also signed the same is a resident in said Savoy and is a credible person and that their statement is entitled to credit
William P. Wolke J. Roberts
I Henry W. Bishop Register of the Court of Probate within & for the County of Berkshire aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of said Court in the matter of the application of Simeon Goff for a pension — In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office of said Court of Probate this twenty fifth day of September, A D 1832 Henry W. Bishop Register of Probate

Simson Goff Savoy Mass.

I. Henry W. Bishop - Register of the Court of Probate within & for the County of Berkshire in the Com- monwealth of Massachusetts do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original supple- mentary proceeds of said Court in the matter of the application of Simeon Goff for a pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office of said Court of Probate this fourth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty three - Henry W. Bishop - Register of Probate.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Berkshire ss. On this fourth day of June A.D. 1833. Personally appeared in open court before the Hon. William D. Walker Judge of the Court of Probate for said county now sitting at Lenox in said county. Simeon Goff a resident in Savoy in the county of Berkshire & Common- wealth aforesaid who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in addition to his former declaration made before S d Judge on the twenty fifth day of September last to which this is annexed. viz. That when he was dismissed at Roxbury as stated in his original declaration hereto annexed he received a discharge which he has lost. That at the expiration of his other terms of service he was dismissed without receiving any written discharge. That by reason of old age & the consequent loss of memory he can not positively swear as to the precise length of his service but according to the best of his recol- lection he served not less than the periods men- tioned below and in the following grades. In the year 1775 he served six months & ten days as a soldier. In the year 1776 he served four months & twenty one days as a drum-major. In the year 1777 he served two months as a soldier. & in 1778 he served twenty days as a soldier & for such service claims a pension. Simeon Goff
Sworn to & subscribed this day & year aforesaid.
William D. Walker

13 906
Simone Simon Goff. Mah
Down Major 6th 20 days
Plato 9 13 20
5. 16 06 May 21 1935
P. 404
A. M. Bishop Senor Mep

BRIEF in the case of  Simon Goff  Co of  Dorshire  in the State of Mass  (Act 7th June, 1832.)
 1. Was the declaration made before a Court or a Judge? Open court  2. If before a Judge, does it appear that the applicant is disabled by bodily infirmity?  3. How old is he? 73  4. State his service, as directed in the form annexed. 
   Period. Duration of Service. Rank. Names of General and Field Officers under whom he served.   Years, Months, Days. As a Gen.     April In 1775 substitute about 10 Private Capt Bliss Col Walker   July 1776 substitute, about 6 " " " "   August 1777 volunteer 2d drum Major Capt Carpenter Col Garry   October " drafted Private Capt Pain   August 1778 substituted 20 " Capt Hice Col Williams   " Capt Riggs Col Mathewson  
 5. In what battles was he engaged? none  6. Where did he reside when he entered the service? Schoboth Co R. Island  7. Is his statement supported by living witnesses, by documentary proof, by traditional evidence, by incidental evidence, or by the rolls? Traditionary and three living witnesses 
8. Are the papers defective as to form or authentication? and if so, in what respect? not properly attached - the Magistrate is not Officially certified all the forms of service are not precisely stated
X Certify that the foregoing statement and the answers agree with the evidence in the case above mentioned.
George Payson
Examining Clerk.

29 836 Rev INVALID.
File No. 29,836
Simeon Cook
Dinner Major Rev. 1820
Act: June 7 th 82 nd
Index: Vol. 2 , Page 158
[Arrangement of 1870.]

13906
Simon Goff.
Simeon Goff
H. W. Burchett Esq. Senat. Mass.

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Simon Goff which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yy II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yy III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yy V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? no VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yy VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1892? yy VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yy IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yy X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yy

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? yes
XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it?
XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had?
XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service?
If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? yes
Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? yes
XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? yes
XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? NO
XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? yes
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.

I Jabez Briggs of Colrain in the County of Franklin and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do testify and say that I knew Simeon Goff now living in Savoy in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth aforesaid and that I now know the Said Simeon Goff I also say that I know that the Said Simeon entered the Service in the revolutionary war in the month of July in the year A.D. 1776 and Served until the first Day of December of the same year as a Drum Major in Col. Simeon Carys Regiment in Captain Nathaniel Carpenter Company and I was a Drummer in the same regiment our Service was at New York Jabez Briggs
Berkshire ss. August 24 th 1832 Then the above named Jabez Briggs personally appeared before me and made oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him Subscribed I certify that I am acquainted with the above Deponent and consider him a man of truth and veracity I Henry Ballou Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Berkshire, ss. I, HENRY W. BISHOP, Register of the Court of Probate in and for said County, do hereby certify that Isaac Belknap Esquire, before whom the annexed deposition was taken is one of the Justices of the Peace within and for said County, duly and regularly appointed, and that I am well ac- quainted with his hand writing, and have no doubt that the Sig- nature annexed to said deposition is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affix- ed the seal of said Court this twenty fifth day of September A.D. 1832. Henry W. Bishop Register of Probate

I Jabez Briggs of Colrain in the County of Franklin and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do testify and say that I knew Simeon Goff now living in Savoy in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth aforesaid and that I now know the Said Simeon Goff I also say that I know that the Said Simeon entered the Service in the revolutionary war in the month of July in the year A.D. 1776 and served until the first day of December of the same year as a Drum Major in Col. Simeon Gary's Regiment in Captain Nathaniel Carpenter's Company and I was a Drummer in the same regiment our Service was at New York
Jabez Briggs
Berkshire ss. August 24 th 1832 Then the above named Jabez Briggs personally appeared before me and made oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him. Subscribed I certify that I am acquainted with the above Deponent and consider him a man of truth and veracity
Isaac Babbitt Justice of the Peace
Before me, the foregoing Deposition taken is one of a series of Depositions taken in the County, duly and regularly taken and I am acquainted with his hand writing. The nature annexed to said deposition is a true copy.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this twenty fifth day of August A.D. 1832.
Henry M. Bishop Registrar of Court

gabez Briggs Deposition

I Amos Goff of Savoy in the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do testify and say that I knew Simeon Goff now living in said Savoy in the time of the revolutionary war and that I now know the said Simeon Goff and I well remember and know that he entered the Service in the revolutionary war in the month of April in the year 1775 and continued in said Service until about the twentieth of October in the same year in Captain Samuel Bliss's Company and Col. Timothy Walker's Regiment in the Massachusetts State Troops and served in Roxbury and Dorchester near Boston
I also know that the said Simeon Goff entered the Service in August 1777 in the said revolutionary war in a volunteer Company commanded by John Hlin and served about one month in Tiverton in the State of Rhode Island
Amos Goff
Berkshire ss. August 24 th 1832 then the above named Amos Goff personally appeared before me and made oath to the truth of the above Deposition by him subscribed
I certify that I am acquainted with the above Depondant and consider him a man of truth and veracity
Snellens Babbitt justice of the Peace

Amos Goff's Deposition

I John Ingraham of Say the County of Berkshire and Commonwealth of Massachusetts do testify and say that I knew Simeon Goff now living in Said Savoy in the time of the revolutionary war and that I now know the Said Simeon Goff. I also testify and say that the Said Simeon Goff entered the Service in the Said revolutionary war in the month of April in the year 1775 and Served until about the twentieth of October of the same year, in the vicinity of Boston in Capt. Samuel Bliss's Company in Col. Timothy Waker's Regiment in the Massachusetts State troops.
I also say according to the best of my recollection that the Said Simeon Goff Served the month of August in trygton said war Twertown in a volunteer Company commanded by John Tain. I also say that the Said Simeon Goff entered the Service in the Said revolutionary war the first of October in the year 1777 and Served until the first of November of the same year at Twertown in Capt. John H. Lee's Company and Col. William's Regiment in the Massachusetts Militia. I also say that the Said Simeon Goff entered the Service in the Said revolutionary war the first of August in the year 1778 and Served twenty Days on Rhode Island in Capt. Abimelech Riggs's Company in the Rhode Island Militia in Col. John Matthewson's Regiment. John Ingraham
Berkshire ss. Then the above named John Ingraham personally appeared before me and affirmed the truth of the above Deposition by him subscribed I also certify that I am acquainted with the above Deponent and consider him a man of truth and veracity
Israel Babbit Justice of the Peace